Yesterday, I came home from work to find that a friend had dropped off a giant bag of gently used clothing for my daughter. This is what I consider a win-win-win situation. For my friend, getting rid off her daughter’s too-small clothing is a relief; for my daughter, the experience is like hitting the lottery; for me, it’s a welcome way to save time, money, and the environment.
If you don’t know families who are right for this clothes-swapping ritual you can still get in on the action. Organizations like Zwaggle help families by “creating an online village of like-minded parents willing to share their gently used stuff and experiences.” You can also buy and sell pre-owned items at a consignment sale. For a list of upcoming sales in your area visit KidsConsignmentSales.com. Or, if you are up for the challenge of organizing your own clothing swap, read this how-to article from LifeOrganizers.com. If you have tips for recycling kids’ clothing, please share them through the comments section.